Men's Ice Hockey

Men's Ice Hockey Announces Class of 2008

Jul 06, 2004

July 6, 2004

PROVIDENCE, RI - Brown University men's ice hockey coach Roger Grillo has announced the Class of 2008, consisting of nine players. Rated by the NHL Central Scouting Red Line Report as the nation's fourth-best incoming class (behind Wisconsin, Boston College, and Notre Dame), Grillo and his staff are expecting great things this year.

Highlighting the Class of 2008 is Paul Baier (North Kingstown, RI), who was recently drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the third round (95th overall). Brown's highest draft selection since Curt Bennett '70 was selected in the 2nd round (16th overall) in 1968, Baier comes to Brown from Deerfield Academy. The 6-4, 215 pound Baier was a standout defenseman for Deerfield, where he also played lacrosse. Last year, Baier was voted a Top Pro Prospect at the Beantown Hockey Classic and a Top NHL Prospect at Hockey Night in Boston. He was also awarded Deerfield's Jim Smith Award, given to the student who shows excellence in both academics and athletics.

Joining Baier on defense are Sean Hurley (Rutland, VT) and David Robertson (Saunderstown, RI). The 6-3, 211 pound Hurley joins the Bears after one season with the Chicago Steel of the USHL. An assistant captain for the Steel last season, Hurley appeared in 52 games and tallied 23 points (4g, 19a). Robertson, a two-year member of the US National Team Developmental Program, enters Brown after one season with the River City Lancers, of the USHL. At 6-0, 185 pounds, Robertson appeared in 51 games last season and notched 18 points (3g, 15a).

The Bears also welcome five forwards, Todd Johnson (Riverside, CT), Brian McNary (Edmonton, ALB), Chris Poli (Medfield, MA), Jeff Prough (Farmington Hills, MI), and Seth Seidman (Milton, MA). The group will help to fill in the voids left by the graduation of the Class of 2004. The 6-3, 190 pound Johnson comes to Brown after a successful hockey and lacrosse career at Taft Prep. He has also played at the US Select 15, 16, 17 Festivals over the past three summers. McNary, a 5-11, 185 pound center, played for the St. Albert Saints, of the AJHL, last season. In 60 games, he amassed 73 points (24g, 49a), while finishing as the team's leading scorer, tied for fourth overall in the league. The Saints' Co-MVP, McNary won the Robert Russell Extra Effort Award. He also played at the 2003 World Under 17 Challenge.

Poli, a 6-1, 190 pound left wing, comes to Brown from Nobles & Greenough. A three-sport (hockey, lacrosse, and football) captain at Nobles, Poli was a member of the 2002 US National Under 18 Team. The 5-10, 165 pound Prough joins the Bears after a successful season with the Sioux Falls Stampede, of the USHL. A right wing, Prough tallied 25 points (8g, 17a) in 53 games. Prough also has National Team experience, playing with the US National Under 17 Team in 2002, and the US National Under 18 Team in 2003. Seidman joins the Bears directly from the US National Program. The 6-1, 190 pound right wing played for the both the Under 17 and Under 18 teams during the past two seasons.

Adam D'Alba (Glencoe, IL), a 6-1, 165 pound goaltender rounds out the Class of 2008. D'Alba has played for the Chicago Steel for the past three seasons, where he posted a .917 save % and a 2.69 GAA last season. He appeared in 31 games, posting 14 wins to go along with three shutouts. This past October, D'Alba was honored as the USHL Goaltender of the Month.